New Delhi: In a significant diplomatic development, India has received support from several Muslim nations — including Taliban-ruled Afghanistan — in its ongoing fight against terrorism. Following this, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held his first-ever conversation with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Thursday. This marks the first high-level political dialogue between the two countries since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021.
The talks come at a time of heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and India’s retaliatory action under Operation Sindoor. The Afghan government had strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack — a gesture Jaishankar deeply appreciated.
After the conversation, Jaishankar posted on X:
“Had a good conversation with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi. Grateful for his unequivocal condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Reaffirmed India’s continued support for the developmental needs of the Afghan people and emphasized the traditional friendship between our nations.”
Taliban Seeks Visa Relief and Prisoner Repatriation
According to a statement from the Afghan Foreign Ministry, Muttaqi expressed a desire to strengthen bilateral ties with India, expand trade, and enhance diplomatic engagement. He described India as a key regional player and called for the revival of historic ties between the two countries. Notably, he urged India to simplify visa procedures for Afghan traders and patients, and also requested the release and repatriation of Afghan prisoners currently held in Indian jails.
Jaishankar assured positive cooperation on these matters, reaffirming India’s commitment to collaboration in political and economic arenas.
Strategic Routes and Regional Security Discussed
The two sides also discussed the strategic Chabahar Port in Iran, which serves as a vital link for India to access Afghanistan while bypassing Pakistan. Broader topics such as regional security, stability, and increasing economic and humanitarian cooperation were also addressed during the talks.
Notably, this is not the first interaction between the two nations under the Taliban regime. In January this year, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had met Muttaqi in Dubai — the first high-level contact between India and the Taliban government.
Jaishankar on Pakistan: Relationship Will Remain Strictly Bilateral
Meanwhile, addressing another forum on Thursday, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar reiterated that India’s relationship with Pakistan will remain strictly bilateral. He emphasized that there has been a longstanding national consensus on this approach, and it will not change.
Commenting on the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Jaishankar noted that the United Nations Security Council had stressed the need to hold the perpetrators accountable. “On the morning of May 7, through Operation Sindoor, India did exactly that,” he said. “India achieved its objective. And it is also very clear who was keen on a ceasefire.”